Festive season shopping has the potential to be a real headache with packed malls, bottomless shopping lists and a pressured bank account. To make your experience as painless and simple as possible, we’ve put together a selection of 21 gifts to suit every budget and every personality.
For the beach bunny
She loves nothing more than chilling under the sun to the sound of waves crashing in the background. Give her the chance to lounge in style with a trendy, tasseled swimsuit and retro sunnies straight outta the ’50s. Or spoil her with a kaftan that’s perfect to slip on as she heads from the beach to the bar.
TRY Swimsuit R499, Royal T and sunglasses R359, Spitfire, both at zando.co.za; Kaftan R2 120, Lalesso at wearels.co.za
For the entertainer
There’s no way that the holiday season is going to pass by without a get-together hosted by this socialite. Their dinner table is guaranteed to look swish when decked out in a hand-woven cloth and distinctive plates trimmed. You can’t get any better than a quirky teacup set, adorned with painted dragonfly wings, for tea and coffee after dinner.
TRY Dinner plate R415, The Potters Gallery, table cloth R980, Barrydale Hand Weavers and cups, R450 for two, Love Milo, all wearels.co.za
For the jet-setter
Plane hopping is their area of expertise and their passport has been maxed out one too many times. A genuine leather travel bag will be a chic addition to their luggage collection while a nifty cord holder will ensure that their precious earphones and chargers don’t go MIA. With a travel cutlery set, they can devour their most loved gourmet snacks – anytime, anywhere.
TRY Travel bag R3 500 and cord holder R400, both Bark & Mill at wearels.co.za; travel cutlery set R75, Cape Union Mart
For the fashionista
Dressing up to the nines is second nature for this dazzling damsel. She’ll be smiling from ear to ear when she unwraps an elegant, nude coloured frock or sparkling necklace and intricately decorated handbag.
TRY Dress R899.95, Mareth Colleen at wearels.co.za; necklace, R149, Vikson and handbag R229, Utopia, both at zando.co.za
For the bride-to-be
She’s consumed by excitement at the thought of finally tying the knot with her prince charming. Give her the gift of body-hugging lingerie or a silky robe to lounge in while on honeymoon. Alternatively, a sensual fragrance will delight both her and her new beau.
TRY Camisole R295, Just Say Maybe; robe R499 and Essence of Poetry Eau de Parfum R499, both Poetry
For your beau
Show the special guy in your life how much you care by spoiling him with some spanking new threads for his wardrobe. A checked shirt coupled with a pair of pressed chinos creates the ideal outfit for a casual business meeting or lunch date. He’ll need his wallet for that, so gift him with a snazzy fold-over that fits snuggly into his back pocket.
TRY Shirt R450, Old Khaki, chinos R499, both Old Khaki at Cape Union Mart; wallet R380, Bark & Mill at wearels.co.za
For your confidante
This one-of-kind individual deserves nothing less than to be spoilt silly. One gift will not do them justice, but a full hamper may do the trick. Why not pack a basket filled with edible treats to bring along on a picnic, or a collection of beauty goodies for some much-needed pampering? If they’re super picky, a gift card will give them the freedon to choose whatever they wish.
TRY Luxury cheese hamper R1 950, Culture Club Cheese; Environ Original Balancing Masque R195 for 50ml, Environ Original Revitalising Toner R225 for 200ml, Environ Original Firming Eye Gel R235 for 15ml, Environ Original Debut Moisturiser R310 for 50ml, all Skin Renewal; eGift Cards from R50 to R5 000, Foschini
Photography Courtesy images